Netflix’s “Karma” Spoiler Free Review- Dark, Gritty And Oddly Gratifying

Netflix’s newest Kdrama series is here! “Karma” is led by some very talented and well-known actors who come together for this gritty, dark tale of what happens when karma catches up to horrible, horrible people! Lets talk about why I liked it but don’t think its for everyone!

Related: Netflix’s “Karma” Ending Explained

The Script

The drama is based on a webcomic by Choi Hee-Sun, but the script for the adaptation is written by the director himself, Lee Il-Hyeong.

The director himself is not that well-know,n but since I saw the names attached to this project, I felt the script and idea must be worth it and to a good extent, I feel it was.

I must start off by saying that “Karma” is not a kdrama for everyone, its very dark. It can be triggering at times and deals with heavy subjects. Not only that, but its violent to some extent, like my title suggests. It looks at how karma ends up catching up to everyone, eventually, and sometimes, in the most horrible and oddly satisfying ways possible.

We live in a world that sadly sees the bad guys almost always winning or getting away with things, especially those who hold tons of money and power. Even those average joes seem to sometimes get away with slaps on their wrists when they deserve much harsher punishments, and this is a theme “Karma” explores. These people are hard to reach, hard to punish, and hard to be held properly accountable for their actions. Sometimes, the best we could hope for is karma, and in this drama, the director delivers on that promise.

The drama is short, its only 6 episodes and each episode focuses on a character or two specific characters. It has a good payout as you begin to piece together exactly why these characters are connected to each other, realizing just how evil some people tend to be and in many cases, so foolishly, needlessly and unjustly too. Its tragic just how much jealousy from a certain someone can ruin an innocent person’s life.

I thought the writing was provoking and fast-paced. The drama has no dull moment. It takes span in a month’s period at top,s but we do get flashbacks to what happened in the past and how certain people are connected.

I have not read the original webcomic but if I judge this as a standalone project, I think it was great. It deals with a lot of topics and while it might not seem so on 1^st viewing, if you look back on what you watched, you see just how many social issues it tackles with its 6 short but impactful episodes.

Having said this, some people might find it way too dark, and some kdrama viewers don’t like overly dark, gritty kdramas. If you love the actors involved in this project, you’ll likely enjoy this drama but if you don’t like the genre of crime and thriller, you might find it a bit difficult to swallow or finish.

The Performances

The performances in the drama are as good as you’d expect them to be from the amazing cast we have. I hated almost everyone in this drama, and for good reason. You’ll feel the same way, too, if you end up watching.

Park Hae Soo does a particularly amazing performance and I liked Gong Seung-Yeon’s performance too, she did well by her character and gave off a completely different vibe from the ones she usually has with her other dramas.

Shin Min Ah is incredible as always, and though Kim Nam Gil’s appearance is brief, it’s impactful in a satisfying, vindicating way.

Everyone did amazing. They really got together some of the best heavy hitters in the kdrama industry, and everyone did so well.

As an ensemble cast, I think they did amazing and deserve nominations.

Final Remarks

“Karma” is likely going to be one of the darkest Kdramas of 2025. Its a well-written gritty embodiment of what happens when horrible people meet their karma for all their actions. And in this way, its oddly satisfying.

Overall, I’d recommend this drama if you’re into the crime and thriller genre. I don’t think its for everyone but its still well-made in my opinion.

Have you guys seen “Karma”? Do you plan on watching it?